EGLINGTON PASSES AWAY

Wednesday 18 February 2004, 12:27

Tommy Eglington, an Everton and Ireland legend of the 1940s and '50s, has passed away, aged 82, in Raheny, Dublin.

Eglington joined Everton from Shamrock Rovers on the same day as his Milltown teammate Peter Farrell in June 1946 and went on to make 428 appearances for the Blues, scoring 82 goals in the process.

The tricky winger was widely acclaimed for tormenting more physically imposing defenders with his fantastic control and change of pace. He was also outstandingly reliable - missing very few games during his decade of service to the Blues.

Slightly built, Tommy was amazingly quick with a great left foot and once scored five goals in a 7-1 thrashing of Doncaster Rovers in September 1952 from the outside left position.

Indeed, Tommy, who won 24 caps for the Republic of Ireland and six for Northern Ireland, is still one of Everton's top-post war goalscorers, which is a remarkable achievement given that he wasn't a centre forward.

Another of his claims to fame was his long-held record that stood for over 50 years of being the last Everton player to score a winning goal in a league game against Leeds at Elland Road. That, however, was eclipsed by Wayne Rooney last season.

Eglington's most prolific scoring season came in 1952-53 when he netted 16 times (14 league, two FA Cup), but he also reached double figures in both the 1953-54 and 1955-56 seasons.

A model professional for both club and countries, Eglington collected no major trophies during his Goodison career, but does hold the distinction of having played in more Division 2 games than any other Everton player.

Speaking to the Everton match programme in 1991, Tommy said: "I played with some great players like Wally Fielding, Eddie Wainwright, Jock Dodds and T.E. Jones. Then there was T.G. Jones, who was an outstanding centre-half.

"I suppose the greatest satisfaction was getting promotion from the Second Division in 1954. We went to Oldham on a Wednesday night needing to win 6-0 to pip Leicester for the title.

"When we went four up at half-time we felt we might do it, but we didn't score any more. Yet it was a great feeling that after having been in the team that went down three years earlier we had got the club back into the First Division.

"Apart from the result, my outstanding memory is of the support we had that night. We travelled along the East Lancashire Road and it was packed with Everton supporters waving blue and white favours and cheering us on. It was an amazing sight."

In June 1957 Tommy went to Tranmere Rovers and in four seasons he made 172 appearances and collected another 36 goals. He went back home to Ireland in 1961 and retired from the game after a couple of seasons with Cork Hibernian.

While at Tranmere he set up a butcher's business in Dublin and was a keen golf player. He regularly visited Goodison until ill-health forced him to remain in the Emerald Isle.

However, on one of his last visits to Merseyside in March 1999, he was inducted into the 'Gwladys Streets Hall of Fame' in front of a packed and appreciative audience at the Adelphi Hotel.

A footballer, a gentleman and an Evertonian, he will be sadly missed by his family, friends and everyone associated with Everton Football Club, by supporters who saw him in action and even by those who didn't.

Dave Hickson led the tributes to his former team-mate:

"I was very fond of Tommy and it was very sad news indeed. Tommy was one of the best wingers I ever played with. When Tommy went down that wing, I always knew that he was going to find me.

"As well as supplying goals, he used to score a few himself. But I won't remember for scoring goals, I'll remember them for making them! I do remember him scoring five goals against Doncaster Rovers, which was a terrific achievement.

"I'm still in shock. I'd like to send my condolences to his wife and family who I knew very well. He was a lovely man. You could ask anyone - he was a real gentleman, my sparring partner and we got on very well."

Tommy's funeral will take place on Friday with a service at the Lady of Divine Church in Raheny, Dublin (11.30am) and will be attended by representatives of the club and the Former Players' Foundation, including ex-team-mates Tommy E. Jones, Brian Labone and Tony McNamara.

He leaves behind his wife, Doris, and three children, Paula, Bernard and Anthony.